_2nd Shepherd._ As a sheep of seven score, he weighed in my fist. For to sleep anywhere, methink that I list. _3rd Shepherd._ Now I pray you, Lie down on this green. _1st Shepherd._ On these thefts yet I mean. _3rd Shepherd._ Whereto should ye tene?[187] Do as I say you. [_Enter an Angel above, who sings "Gloria in Excelsis," then says:_ Rise, hired-men, heynd,[188] for now is he born That shall take from the fiend, that Adam had lorn:[189] That warlock to sheynd,[190] this night is he born. God is made your friend: now at this morn, He behests; To Bedlem go see, There lies that free[191] In a crib full poorly, Betwixt two beasts. _1st Shepherd._ This was a quaint stevyn[192] that ever yet I heard. It is a marvel to nevyn[193] thus to be scared. _2nd Shepherd._ Of God's son of heaven, he spoke up word. All the wood like the levin,[194] methought that he gard Appear. _3rd Shepherd._ He spoke of a bairn In Bedlem I you warn. _1st Shepherd._ That betokens yonder starn[195] Let us seek him there. _2nd Shepherd._ Say, what was his song? Heard ye not how he cracked it? Three breves to a long.[196] _3rd Shepherd._ Yea, marry, he hacked[197] it. Was no crochet wrong, nor no thing that lacked it. _1st Shepherd._ For to sing us among, right as he knacked it, I can. _2nd Shepherd._ Let us see how ye croon Can ye bark at the moon? _3rd Shepherd._ Hold your tongues, have done. _1st Shepherd._ Hark after, then. _2nd Shepherd._ To Bedlem he bade--that we should gang: I am full feared--that we tarry too lang. _3rd Shepherd._ Be merry and not sad: of mirth is our sang, Everlasting glad, our road may we fang,[198] Without noise. _1st Shepherd._ Hie we thither quickly; If we be wet and weary, To that child and that lady We have it not to slose.[199] _2nd Shepherd._ We find by the prophecy--let be your din-- Of David and Esai, and more than I min;[200] They prophesied by clergy, that on a virgin Should he light and ly, to pardon our sin And slake it, Our kind from woe; For Esai said so, _Cite virgo Concipiet a child that is naked._ _3rd Shepherd._ Full glad may we be,--and abide that day That lovely to see,--that all mights may. Lord, well for me,--for once and for aye, Might I kneel on my knee--some word for to say To that child. But the angel said In a crib was he laid; He was poorly arrayed, Both meaner and mild. _1st Shepherd._ Patriarchs that have been,--and prophets beforn, They desired to have seen--this child that is born. They are gone full clean,--that have they lorn. We shall see him, I ween,--e'er it be morn By token When I see him and feel, Then know I full weel It is true as steel That prophets have spoken. To so poor as we are, that he would appear, First find, and declare by his messenger. _2nd Shepherd._ Go we now, let us fare: the place is us near.